Arriba! Letran again snatches NCAA crown
Credit to Author: JEREMIAH SEVILLA| Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2019 17:08:56 +0000
Colegio de San Juan de Letran once again toppled a dynasty that was San Beda University.
The Knights slayed the three-time champion Red Lions, 81-79, behind Jerrick Balanza’s heroic effort in the winner-take-all finals game in Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors basketball tournament held on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Balanza made sure that his last game would be memorable in front of the mammoth crowd of 19,876 as the graduating captain fired 27 points and came through with a crucial defensive stop to seal Letran’s first championship since 2015 and 18th overall.
The veteran guard proved to be the spark for Letran’s title run from being a fourth seed squad after undergoing a brain surgery that forced him to miss the team’s Final Four campaign last season.
“I really envisioned that when I get back, we’ll win the championship,” said Balanza.
The Knights overcame San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Lyceum of the Philippines University in the semifinals then notched a surprising 65-74 win in Game 1 before bouncing back from a 76-79 loss in Game 2.
Letran also dethroned San Beda four years ago, denying it an unprecedented six-peat.
“We had a lot of struggles this season,” said Letran first-year head coach Bonnie Tan.
“Playing a San Beda team that was 18-0. It was difficult, but nothing is impossible with my players.”
Balanza knocked down his fifth triple to hand the Knights a 79-73 lead, but Evan Nelle answered back with his own to keep the Lions within striking distance, 76-79, with 43.2 seconds left.
Fran Yu looked to have capped Letran’s Cinderella run with two free throws, 81-76, with 15.9 ticks remaining.
Nut Nelle buried a long trey, 79-81, before Calvin Oftana forced a jump ball call with Yu to give San Beda the possession, 5.4 seconds left.
True to his promise to bring the crown back to Intramuros, Balanza blocked Nelle’s potential title-clinching 3-point shot.
“This [championship] is my way of giving back to Letran,” said Balanza.
Graduating guard Bonbon Batiller was also instrumental with his 19 points and five rebounds as he made up for his botched layup that could have ended the grueling series in Game 2.
Ato Ular chipped in nine markers and nine boards, and Finals MVP Yu added eight points, seven assists and five rebounds. Yu came through with strong performances in the first two games.
Cameroonian center Donald Tankoua led San Beda with 22 points and seven boards, while season MVP Oftana had 18 points and eight rebounds.
Nelle, James Kwekuteye and Clint Doliguez had 11 points each for the Lions, who failed to get their 23rd trophy.
Earlier in the juniors division, San Beda High School annexed its 23rd crown after thrashing Lyceum High School, 98-77, in the deciding game.
The scores:
Seniors division
LETRAN 81 — Balanza, 27; Batiller, 19; Ular, 9; Yu, 8; Muyang, 6; Mina, 6; Caralipio, 4; Ambohot, 2; and Balagasay, Olivario, Javillonar and Sangalang, 0.
SAN BEDA 79 — Tankoua, 22; Oftana, 18; Canlas, 11; Nelle, 11; Doliguez, 11; Carino, 3; Soberano, 3; and Bahio, Abuda and Visser, 0.
Quarters: 26-24, 44-38, 69-59, 81-79
Juniors division
SAN BEDA 98 — Sanchez, 19; Ynot, 18; Amsali, 16; Llarena, 19; Oftana, 9; Alao, 8; Cabanero, 5; Pelipel, 4; Andrada, 3; Nicdao, 3; Alcantara, 2; Delfino, 1; and Pascual, Valencia and Peregrina, 0.
LYCEUM 77 — Guadana, 24; Omandac, 12; Barba, 11; Montano, 10; Garro, 6; Panganiban, 5; Ragasa, 5; Caduyac, 2; Garing, 2; and Gamlanga, Gudmalin, Dejelo and Dumon, 0.
Quarters: 27-18, 50-33, 81-51, 98-77